Whirlpool skimmer

ABSTRACT

A whirlpool skimming device removes surface debris from a pool by creating a whirlpool having an upper bound at the surface of the pool. The uppermost portion of the whirlpool is free standing and is not bounded by the device. The device includes an outer cup-shaped portion and an inner cup-shaped portion coaxially disposed therein. An opening is disposed in the bottom of the inner cup-shaped portion which communicates with a source of suction which is preferably a Venturi tube feeding the outlet water to a filter bag. There is a first nozzle supplying water at an upper, inner edge of the inner cup-shaped portion at a slightly downward angle in a first direction, and there is a second nozzle supplying water at a lower, outer edge of the inner cup-shaped portion and mounted on an opposite side of the inner cup-shaped portion. The device causes coaxial rotational flow patterns relative to the inner cup-shaped portion, in which the outer rotational flow takes an upwardly spiral path outside the inner cup-shaped portion, and the inner rotational flow takes a downwardly spiral path inside the inner cup-shaped portion of the device.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application is a continuation in part, claims priority from,and hereby incorporates by reference U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/136,987 titled “WHIRLPOOL SKIMMER” filed on Aug. 16, 2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for skimming liquid and debrisfrom the surface of a pool.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pool cleaning devices are known in the prior art. For example, a skimmerand filter bag are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,919,359.

A pool cleaning system with multiple cleaning heads is shown in U.S.Pat. No. 6,022,481.

Further, a liquid surface skimmer with filter bag is shown in U.S. Pat.No. 6,027,641.

A pool skimmer with filter bag and support is shown in U.S. Pat. No.6,086,759.

A telescopic arrangement is shown in a pool skimmer in U.S. Pat. No.7,146,658.

A canister filter for a swimming pool is shown in U.S. Pat. No.7,384,544.

A pool skimmer having a spray head is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,455,767.

A circulatory swimming pool cleaning system is shown in U.S. Pat. No.7,862,712.

There is a need in the art for an efficient, effective pool cleaningdevice that is capable of readily removing debris such as leaves orinsects from the surface of a pool.

There is a need for such an efficient, effective pool cleaning devicewhich is powered by water flow and does not need an external source ofpower.

Further, there is a need for such an efficient, effective pool cleaningdevice which operates without requiring large amounts of water flow, andwhich can operate in conjunction with other pool cleaning equipment suchas water pumps and water circulatory systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

From the foregoing, it is seen that it is a problem in the art toprovide a device meeting the above requirements. According to thepresent invention, a device and process are provided which meets theaforementioned requirements and needs in the prior art.

Specifically, the device according to the present invention is awhirlpool skimming device for removing surface debris from a pool, bycreating a whirlpool having an upper bound at the surface of the pooland where the uppermost portion of the whirlpool is free standing and isnot bounded by the device.

The whirlpool skimming device according to the present invention removessurface debris from a pool by creating a whirlpool having an upper boundat the surface of the pool. The uppermost portion of the whirlpool isfree standing and is not bounded by the device. The device includes anouter cup-shaped portion and an inner cup-shaped portion coaxiallydisposed therein. Open opening is disposed in the bottom of the innercup-shaped portion which communicates with a source of suction. Thesource of suction is preferably a Venturi tube feeding the outlet waterto a filter bag. There is a first nozzle supplying water at an upper,inner edge of the inner cup-shaped portion at a slightly downward anglein a first direction, and there is a second nozzle supplying water at alower, outer edge of the inner cup-shaped portion and mounted on anopposite side of the inner cup-shaped portion. The second nozzle directsfluid in an approximately opposite direction relative to the firstnozzle as viewed from the top of the device, and the second nozzle canbe angled slightly downwardly. The first and second nozzles are suppliedby tubes communicating with a source of water, and can optionallyinclude valves in the tubes for adjustably controlling the amount ofwater flowing through the nozzles.

The device of the present invention causes coaxial rotational flowpatterns relative to the inner cup-shaped portion, in which the outerrotational flow takes an upwardly spiral path outside the innercup-shaped portion, and the inner rotational flow takes a downwardlyspiral path inside the inner cup-shaped portion of the device. It isbelieved that the rising outer rotational flow is an important featureof the present invention, which is believed—from inspection of the massflows from the first and second jets - to narrow and focus the innervortical flow of the inner rotational flow and thereby direct the forceof the vortex above the topmost portion of the funnel portion to thesurface of the pool. This beneficial and useful effect is achieved inthe working embodiment when the topmost portion of the funnel portion isdisposed below the water surface by a distance preferably ranging fromone to four inches.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be morereadily apparent from the following detailed description when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top elevational view of a funnel portion of the deviceaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side schematic elevational view of the device according tothe present invention, showing hydraulic connections as well as fluidflow through a Venturi section.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side elevational view of the device of the presentinvention in operation in a pool, with a vortex or whirlpool caused bythe device extending to the upper surface of the pool.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged top elevational view of an inner cup-shapedportion with oppositely directed nozzles, with fluid flow indicated.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG.1, showing the interior structure of the outlet portion of the device.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side sectional view similar to FIG. 5, showingcoaxial rotational flow patterns relative to the inner cup-shapedportion, in which the outer rotational flow takes an upwardly spiralpath outside the inner cup-shaped portion, and the inner rotational flowtakes a downwardly spiral path inside the inner cup-shaped portion ofthe device.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the coaxial rotational flow patterns shownin FIG. 6, omitting the structural elements for the sake of clarity, inwhich the outer rotational flow takes an upwardly spiral path outsidethe inner cup-shaped portion, and the inner rotational flow takes adownwardly spiral path inside the inner cup-shaped portion of thedevice.

FIG. 8 is a schematic top elevational view of the coaxial rotationalflow patterns shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, schematically showing just theinner cup-shaped portion and the funnel portion, omitting otherstructural elements for the sake of clarity, in which the outerrotational flow is seen to flow in the same rotational direction as theinner rotational flow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a top elevational view of a funnel portion 110 of a whirlpoolskimming device 100. The funnel portion 110 is generally cup-shaped withan inner, tapering funnel-shaped portion 120 terminating at an opening140 formed in the lowermost portion of the inner, tapering funnel-shapedportion 120. In this view, an inner cup-shaped portion 130 is generallycoaxially disposed within the funnel-shaped portion 120 of the funnelportion 110, and is open at its bottom so as to communicate with theopening 140.

As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of nozzles 150 and 160 are disposed adjacentthe inner cup-shaped portion 130, with the nozzle 150 being disposedadjacent the outside edge of the inner cup-shaped portion 130 while thenozzle 160 is disposed adjacent the inside edge of the inner cup-shapedportion 130. Fluid flow from these nozzles is depicted in FIG. 4 below.

FIG. 2 is a side schematic elevational view of the whirlpool skimmingdevice 100, showing pipes 170 and 190 along with hydraulic connections162 and 164, and an inner coaxial pipe section 180 shown in dashedoutline. Arrows F1, F2, and F3 indicate the direction of fluid flowthrough the pipes 170, 180, and 190. The pipes 170, 180, and 190 have afluid flow which creates a type of Venturi effect to draw water or otherliquid as a fluid flow F2 through the opening 140 powered by theincoming fluid flow F1 through the pipe 190, while discharging thecombined liquid as discharge flow F3 through the open end of the pipe170.

As shown in FIG. 2 in dashed outline, the nozzle 160 is disposedadjacent an upper edge of the inner cup-shaped portion 130, also shownin dashed outline. The nozzle 150, shown in dashed outline, is disposednear a lowermost end of the inner cup-shaped portion 130. The nozzle 150is disposed along the outside of the inner cup-shaped portion 130, whilethe nozzle 160 is disposed along the interior side of the innercup-shaped portion 130. A valve 163 is optionally disposed in the line162 to regulate fluid flow, and a valve 165 is optionally disposed inthe line 164. The valves 163 and 165 can be omitted, and are notnecessary to the present invention.

The nozzles 150 and 160 are oppositely directed, so as to direct fluidflow either in a clockwise direction or in a counterclockwise direction.The nozzle 160 is preferably angled slightly downwardly a few degrees.The relative disposition of the nozzles 150 and 160—both vertically andrelative to the interior and exterior of the inner cup-shaped portion130—is important for the highly efficient vortex effect generated by thepresent invention. However, such disposition can be varied while stillcreating a vortex effect, albeit with less efficiency, and suchvariations would be understood by any one having skill in the hydraulicarts.

The conduits 162 and 164 must pass through wall portions of the funnelportion 110, and this preferably should be done to minimize the lengthof conduits 162 and 164 in the interior of the funnel portion 110 so asto avoid significantly disrupting the vortical flow.

In FIG. 2, the lowermost edge of the inner, tapering funnel-shapedportion 120 is sealed against the lowermost edge of the inner cup-shapedportion 130, such that no fluid can flow out of the bottom of the inner,tapering funnel-shaped portion 120 except via the uppermost opening ofthe inner cup-shaped portion 130. This fluid flow is shown in FIG. 3.Thus, the fluid jet introduced by the nozzle 150 necessarily cannot exitexcept by rising. The fluid jet from the nozzle 150 causes a rising,spiral-shaped flow which—due to centrifugal force—presses against theinterior wall of the tapering funnel-shaped portion 120. All of thefluid flow from the funnel portion 110 of the whirlpool skimming device100 is represented by the flow F2, and the total output flow includingthat introduced by the Venturi portion is F3, as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side elevational view of the whirlpool skimmingdevice 100 in operation in a pool 400, with a vortex or whirlpool 300caused by the device extending to the upper surface 410 of the pool. Asseen in FIG. 3, an important feature of the present invention is thatthe uppermost edge of the funnel portion 110 of the whirlpool skimmingdevice 100 lies a distance S below the surface of the pool 400, so thatthe uppermost portion of the vortex or whirlpool 300 is not bounded inany way by the whirlpool skimming device 100.

The whirlpool skimming device 100 removes surface debris from a pool bycreating a whirlpool having an upper bound at the surface of the pool.The uppermost portion of the vortex or whirlpool 300 is free standingand is not bounded by the device 100. The vortex or whirlpool 300 iscreated by the vortical flow caused by the directed water jets from thenozzles 150 and 160 (either clockwise or anticlockwise) together withthe suction created by the Venturi from the pipes 170, 180, and 190which draws the flow F2 through the opening 140 in the funnel portion110. The liquid in the pipe 190 flows under pressure from a source ofpressure such as a pump or a city water main supply, for example.

Since the device would work to skim a liquid surface, it can also beused to clean oil slicks, or for industrial uses, and is not limited touse with water and is not limited to use with pools.

As shown in FIG. 3, the flow through the device 100 exits through afilter bag 210 as shown by the arrows W, so that the leaves and insects,and other debris, are caught in the filter 210. In FIG. 3, supportswould be provided to keep the device 100 at the predetermined depth Sbelow the surface; various supports are known in the mechanical supportarts and in the swimming pool arts, such as mechanical arms, rigidpipes, floats, and anchors, among others. All such supports arecontemplated as being within the scope of the present invention.

While the drawings show that the source of suction is preferably aVenturi tube, the suction in the pipe 180 could instead be directlyproduced by a water pump hydraulically connected to the outlet of thepipe 180. In that case, the pipes 170 and 190 could be omitted.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged top elevational view of the inner cup-shapedportion 130 with oppositely directed nozzles 150 and 160, with fluidflow jets from the nozzles indicated as G1 and G2 respectively. Thefunnel portion 110 is also indicated, and is not to scale but shown inreduced size for clarity of illustration.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG.1, showing the interior structure of the device 100. Here, the parts areas described hereinabove, and the space between the pipes 170 and 180 isshown and is indicated by numerals 196, 196. The space 196 is an annularcylindrical volume through which the water flows that arrives via thepipe 190 (not shown in this view). A lowermost end 181 of the pipe 180is well within the pipe 170 having a distal end 171, and this feature isimportant to the production of the Venturi effect to draw water from theend 181 of the pipe 180. The opening 140 is clearly seen in this view.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side sectional view similar to FIG. 5, showingcoaxial rotational flow patterns Z1 and Z2 relative to the innercup-shaped portion 130, in which the outer rotational flow Z2 takes anupwardly spiral path outside the inner cup-shaped portion 130, and theinner rotational flow Z1 takes a downwardly spiral path inside the innercup-shaped portion 130 of the device 100. It is believed that the risingouter rotational flow is an important feature of the present invention,which is believed—from inspection of the mass flows Z1 and Z2—to narrowand focus the inner vortical flow of the inner rotational flow Z1 andthereby direct the force of the vortex above the topmost portion of thefunnel portion 110 to the surface 410 of the pool 400. This beneficialand useful effect is achieved in the working embodiment (discussedhereunder) when the topmost portion of the funnel portion 110 isdisposed below the surface 410 by a distance preferably ranging from 1to 4 inches. This is necessary for the usefulness of the vortex, sincethe topmost edge of the funnel portion 110 would tend to block the flowof water from the surface of the water, and such flow from the surfaceis necessary to carry leaves, insects, and other debris into the vortex300.

It is important to keep the whirlpool skimming device 100 oriented sothat the topmost edge of the funnel portion 110 lies in a plane parallelto the water surface 410, so that the vortex 300 draws in leaves anddebris. If the funnel portion 110 is tilted, the vortex 300 may becomeless effective; if the tilt is substantial the vortex can even driveaway the floating leaves and floating debris rather than drawing theminto the vortex 300.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the coaxial rotational flow patterns shownin FIG. 6, omitting the structural elements for the sake of clarity, inwhich the outer rotational flow takes an upwardly spiral path outsidethe inner cup-shaped portion, and the inner rotational flow takes adownwardly spiral path inside the inner cup-shaped portion of thedevice.

FIG. 8 is a schematic top elevational view of the coaxial rotationalflow patterns Z1 and Z2 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, schematically showingjust the inner cup-shaped portion 130 and the funnel portion 110,omitting other structural elements for the sake of clarity. In thisview, the outer rotational flow Z2 is seen to flow in the samerotational direction as the inner rotational flow Z1. Thus, therotational flows Z1 and Z2 are parallel and together initially form, andthereafter reinforce, the flow of water forming the vortex 300. The flowouter rotational flow Z2 is initially rising in the vertical directionas described hereinabove, and at some distance above the upper surfaceof the inner cup-shaped portion 130 the flow Z2 may be pulled into thevortex 300 (shown by the dashed path in FIG. 7 of the flow Z2) to jointhe downward flow F2 through the inner cup-shaped portion 130.

Working Embodiment

In a working embodiment, the dimensions of the parts are preferably asfollows. The pipe 170 can be composed of standard PVC pipe with a 2 inchdiameter, and the pipe 180 a similar pipe but with a 1.25 inch diameter.The pipe 190 is preferably similar to the pipe 170, or can be larger orsmaller, for example 1.5 inches, as long as it can supply a sufficientwater flow. The diameter of the inner cup-shaped portion 130 is threeinches in the working embodiment, while the diameter of the funnelportion 110 is nine inches in the working embodiment. The conduits 162and 164 in the working embodiment are formed by flexible plastic tubinghaving a one-quarter inch diameter. The length of the funnel portion 110is ten inches in the working embodiment, and the inner, taperingfunnel-shaped portion 120 begins to taper at a point six inches belowthe uppermost edge of the funnel portion 110 as viewed in FIG. 2. Thedepth (length) of the inner cup-shaped portion 130 is four inches.

The uppermost edge of the inner cup-shaped portion 130 in the workingembodiment is spaced approximately 1.5 inches in a horizontal directionfrom the side of the funnel-shaped portion 120, and the lowermost edgeof the inner cup-shaped portion 130 is spaced approximately ⅛ inch in ahorizontal direction from the side of the funnel-shaped portion 120.These dimensions can be varied, and are merely exemplary of the workingembodiment. The venturi portion of the pipe, i.e. the coaxiallyextending pipes 170 and 180, have the following dimensions. The pipe 180has an inside diameter of 1.25 inches and an outside diameter of 1 and9/16 inches. The inside diameter of the pipe 170 is approximately 2.0inches in the working embodiment. The inner pipe 180 may have a smoothouter surface or a threaded outer surface; in the working embodiment theouter surface is threaded.

In use, the working embodiment has been tested with respect to distanceof the uppermost edge of the funnel portion 110 below the water surface410. For an effective vortex 300 sufficient to perform the tasks ofremoving surface debris and leaves, the minimum distance below the watersurface 410 should be about 1 inch, with an optimal depth rangingbetween about 1 inch to about 3 inches below the water surface 410. Themaximum depth for an effective vortex 300 is about 6 inches, with aweaker yet discernible vortex 300 existing even to depths of about 7 to8 inches below the water surface 410.

The invention being thus described, it will be evident that the same maybe varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as adeparture from the spirit and scope of the invention and all suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of theclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A whirlpool skimmer for creating a vortex orwhirlpool extending to a surface of a pool for removing debris from thesurface of the pool, comprising: a first cup-shaped member having anupper portion and a lower tapering portion, the upper portion having anenlarged open end and the tapering portion having a distal tapered endso as to form a funnel shape; a second cup-shaped member having alowermost edge mounted adjacent a lowermost of said first cup shapedmember and coaxially disposed relative to said first cup-shaped member;said second cup-shaped member extending coaxially with said firstcup-shaped member, said second cup-shaped member having an uppermostedge extending partially into the interior of the tapering portion ofthe first cup-shaped member; said second cup-shaped member having agenerally cylindrical body and having two opposed open ends; a first jetmember mounted adjacent an outermost surface of said second cup-shapedmember for directing liquid in a direction generally orthogonal to alongitudinal axis of said second cup-shaped member to cause a rotationalfluid flow in a specified rotational direction; a second jet membermounted adjacent an innermost surface of said second cup-shaped memberfor directing liquid in a direction generally orthogonal to alongitudinal axis of said second cup-shaped member to cause a rotationalfluid flow in said specified rotational direction; said first and secondjet members being arranged so that liquid from each is directed in thesame specified rotational direction relative to said longitudinal axis;and a source of suction disposed below the lowermost opening in saidsecond cup-shaped member, such that the combined effect of the suctionand the directed liquid from the jets causes formation of a vortexwithin the first and second cup-shaped members and which vortex extendsabove the uppermost surface of the first cup-shaped member to thesurface of the pool so as to draw in debris, leaves and insects from thesurface of the pool.
 2. A whirlpool skimmer as claimed in claim 1,further comprising an outlet pipe disposed below said passage, saidoutlet pipe having a filter bag for removing debris skimmed from thepool surface by the vortex.
 3. A whirlpool skimmer for creating a vortexextending to a surface of a pool for removing debris, leaves and insectsfrom the surface of the pool, comprising: a first cup-shaped memberhaving an upper portion and a lower tapering portion, the upper portionhaving an enlarged open end and the tapering portion having a distaltapered end; a second cup-shaped member having a lowermost edge mountedadjacent a lowermost of said first cup shaped member and coaxiallydisposed relative to said first cup-shaped member; said secondcup-shaped member extending coaxially with said first cup-shaped member,said second cup-shaped member having an uppermost edge extendingpartially into the interior of the tapering portion of the firstcup-shaped member; said second cup-shaped member having a generallycylindrical body and having two opposed open ends; a first jet membermounted adjacent an outermost surface of said second cup-shaped memberfor directing liquid in a direction generally orthogonal to alongitudinal axis of said second cup-shaped member to cause a rotationalfluid flow in a specified rotational direction; said first jet memberintroducing liquid between the outer wall of the second cup-shapedmember and tapering portion of the first cup-shaped member in thespecified rotational direction and wherein the introduced liquid risesvertically in a direction from the lowermost edge of the secondcup-shaped member to at least the uppermost edge of the secondcup-shaped member; a second jet member mounted adjacent an innermostsurface of said second cup-shaped member for directing liquid in adirection generally orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of said secondcup-shaped member to cause a rotational fluid flow in said specifiedrotational direction; said first and second jet members being arrangedso that liquid from each is directed in the same specified rotationaldirection relative to said longitudinal axis; said second jet memberintroducing liquid inside the inner wall of the second cup-shaped memberin a slightly downward direction and causing fluid supplied by thesecond jet member to circulate within said second cup-shaped member insaid specified rotational direction and wherein the supplied liquid fromthe second jet member drops vertically in a direction from the uppermostedge of the second cup-shaped member to the lowermost edge of the secondcup-shaped member; and a source of suction disposed below the lowermostopening in said second cup-shaped member, such that the combined effectof the suction and the directed liquid from the jets causes formation ofa vortex within the first and second cup-shaped members and which vortexextends above the uppermost surface of the first cup-shaped member tothe surface of the pool so as to draw in debris, leaves and insects fromthe surface of the pool.
 4. A whirlpool skimmer as claimed in claim 3,further comprising an outlet pipe disposed below said passage, saidoutlet pipe having a filter bag for removing debris skimmed from thepool surface by the vortex.